Spotify Wrapped 2023 was released on November 30 and the results will surprise no one. Opening theme of the anime Oshi no Kothe third single from YOASOBI, Idol, has been dominating Spotify since its release – so, of course, it’s number one.
Anime theme songs often perform well on Spotify. However, YOASOBI’s single dominated Japan’s daily charts for three months from April to July 2023, receiving nominations and winning several awards in Japan. This includes the awards for Best Anime Video and Song of the Year at VMA Japan 2023
So what makes the single so special?
YOASOBI’s song Oshi no Ko is the most played song on Spotify in Japan
Oshi no Ko could be one of the biggest anime adaptations of 2023. However, it’s also one of the few anime whose opening theme song has surpassed its success.
If you haven’t heard the theme song of Oshi no Ko, you might think this statement seems unbelievable. But with its bubblegum pop sound and catchy electronic beats, it’s no wonder it lingered in the public consciousness for nearly a year.
After setting a new record in July on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart by recording 14 consecutive weeks at number one, Oshi no Ko has gone from strength to strength, currently holding the title of only maintaining 20 consecutive weeks at the top of this chart. Billboard Japan chart.
It also achieved 300 million total streams within three months of its release, breaking Billboard Japan’s record for the fastest single to reach this milestone.
However, its success did not end there. Known for their bright and poppy sound, Idol’s contributed to Japanese music’s 2023 victory on Spotify. The song is said to have resonated with Japanese pop culture by highlighting the struggles of idols in the entertainment industry, topping the charts as the most streamed song in Japan and becoming became the second most streamed Japanese song worldwide.
Who is YOASOBI?
YOASOBI is on fire. With record-breaking hits such as ‘Idol’ and ‘Into The Night’, they have rocketed to the forefront of Japanese music – and are now more than ready to take on the world.@YOASOBI_staff are on #NMETheCover this week: https://t.co/qz0wECQkmj pic.twitter.com/erOKoqIR6w
— NME (@NME) September 4, 2023
Known for their record-breaking hit singles including Idol and Into The Night, musical duo YOASOBI is making a name for themselves in the world of anime. So have you heard any of their theme songs?
Featuring singer Ikura and producer Vocaloid Ayase, this super duo was first formed in 2019. From here, the magic began and they created several chart-topping singles electro-pop category.
Like most J-Pop groups, the duo are no strangers to anime – it’s almost as if performing an anime theme is a right of musicians in Japan. Along with Oshi no Ko’s chart-topping Idol, YOASOBI performed the opening and ending themes for the second season of BEASTARS, the opening theme for the anime Mobile Suit GTA: The Witch From Mercury and is currently streaming the opening theme of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Yusha.
While none of these have achieved the same success as Idol, with YOASOBI holding the title of most streamed artist in Japan worldwide for three consecutive years, it’s easy to see anime is contributing to how J-Pop is recognized on the world stage.